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​The UK Defense Intelligence: russian National Guard Gains Heavy Weaponry Authority

President Putin’s decision to arm Rosgvardia reflects growing concerns after Wagner Group mutiny / open source
President Putin’s decision to arm Rosgvardia reflects growing concerns after Wagner Group mutiny / open source

President Putin’s decision to arm Rosgvardia reflects growing concerns after Wagner Group mutiny

On August 4, 2023, President Putin signed into law a measure which will allow Rosgvardia, the russian National Guard, to be equipped with heavy weaponry, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.

A sprawling organisation of up to 200,000 frontline personnel, Rosgvardia was created in its modern form in 2016 and is led by Putin’s former bodyguard Viktor Zolotov. The decision to strengthen the force follows the abortive Wagner Group mutiny of June 2023.

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Russian Ilyushin Il-22M airborne command post aircraft downed by the Wagner Group Defense Express The UK Defense Intelligence: russian National Guard Gains Heavy Weaponry Authority
Russian Ilyushin Il-22M airborne command post aircraft downed by the Wagner Group / open source

Despite Zolotov’s claim that his force performed “excellently” during the mutiny, there is no evidence that Rosgvardia carried out any effective action against Wagner Group: exactly the sort of internal security threat it was designed to repress.

With Zolotov previously suggesting that heavy equipment should include artillery and attack helicopters, the move suggests that the Kremlin is doubling down on resourcing Rosgvardia as one of the key organisations to ensure regime security.

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